Britannia visits the London Museum: 20th century

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Britannia visits the London Museum. In April 1928, the London Museum commissioned Rex Whistler to produce a drawing for a poster that would be displayed by the Underground Electric Railways Company. He wrote: 'I feel it will be more amusing (for me at any rate) if I make the poster allegorical of London or of its history or custom, than if it is a view of the Museum or of its contents'. The result is typical of Whistler's witty, fantasy world. A buxom, smiling Britannia is driven to the Museum in a hansom cab with Union Jack wheels. The lion and unicorn symbolise the Museum's historical links to the British monarchy. In the background, familiar London landmarks include the steeple of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Nelson's Column, and the dome of St Paul's.